PaBLIC
SECTOR
Official Publication of The Civil Service Employees Association, Local 1000,
American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees AFL-CIO.
ISSN 0164 9949
Vol.10, No. 11
M o n d a y , June 1,1987
l - a n c i i l ^ B b o y
William L.
BLOM
By Roger A. Cole
Editor, The Public Sector
"Changes? Oh, sure, I've seen my share
of them."
Indeed, that's to be expected. After all,
William L. Blom has been witness to and a
participant in a quarter of a century of
CSEA's greatest growth and its dramatic
transformation into a powerful labor union.
He recently
celebrated his silver
anniversary as
CSEA's director of
research, becoming
the first and only
person to officially
hold that title when
he joined CSEA's
staff on March 8,
1962.
In the ensuing 25 years, Blom has seen
CSEA emerge from an informal, sociallyoriented organization into a full-fledged
labor union and eventually into the largest
local of any international union in the
AFL-CIO.
"In the early years we walked across the
street (to the governor or Legislature) with
hat in hand and literally begged for
everything. Sometimes they gave us a scrap
or a crumb, and sometimes they sent us
packing. They didn't have to give us
anything in those days, and one thing they
never gave us was much respect," recalls
Blom.
That all changed a little over five years
after Blom came on board when the Taylor
Law was adopted in 1967.
"We had a lot of gearing up to do,"
remembers Blom. "CSEA went out and won
the right to represent 150,000 state workers.
It was an awesome responsibility. I
remember those first negotiations as neverending days and nights of preparation and
confrontation. Still, the initial process was
pretty crude on both sides compared to how
it's done today."
He should know; he's been an integral
part of every state contract negotiation
since. As director of research, Blom has
prime responsibilities for compiling the
mountains of data necessary to support the
union's positions on hundreds of contract
items. And he and his staff must analyze the
mounds of data the state piles up on its side
of the table as well.
"We weren't too sophisticated in the early
'60s — an adding machine was about as
technical as we got then. The state wasn't
SPttblic
SSECTOR
Official publication of The Civil Service
Employees Association Local 1000, AFSCME,
AFL-CIO 143 Washington Avenue, Albany,
New York 12210
CSEA PRESIDENT William L. McGowan, left,
presents a plaque and clock to William L. Blom in
recognition of Blom's 25 years of service as
director of the union's research department.
much better off, but they did have some
early computers to help.
"That's really one of the biggest changes
of all. For the past few negotiations CSEA
has had access to virtually every
conceivable type of data and the
technological equipment to use it properly. I
think we come to the table at least as well
prepared for negotiations as the state does,
for all its manpower and equipment," Blom
says. "Still, it gets down to human elements,
it always has. Negotiations is a year-round
job; it's hard work for everyone associated
with it. If we're not actually at the
bargaining table, then we're enforcing the
current agreements and getting ready for
the next negotiations at the same time.
"By sheer numbers alone, local and unit
contracts keep us constantly busy. And of
course my staff is very active in preparing
for legislative proposals, analyzing hundreds
of governmental budgets, responding to
inquiries from members and officers and all
the other odds and ends that are necessary
to CSEA's delivery of services to the
membership. A lot of this was non-existent
25 years ago. Now it's an everyday type of
thing."
Blom says he isn't sure how he has
managed to last so long in a business that
burns up people quickly due to the intensity.
" I guess it's because I've never lost my love
of working with facts and figures and
developing them into useful information," he
said.
In fact, prior to joining CSEA 25 years
ago, Blom spent nearly 14 years with the
state providing statistical analysis and
research-related services for the Labor
Department, Health Department, Education
The Public Sector (445010) is published every other Monday by The Civil Service
Employees Association, 143 Washington Avenue, Albany, New York 12210. Publication Office: 143 Washington Avenue, Albany, New York 12210. Second Class Postage paid at Post
Office, Albany, New York.
Address changes should be sent to: Civil Service Employees Association, Attn:
Membership Department, 143 Washington Avenue, Albany, New York 12210.
—
SHERYL CARLIN
ULLYGIOIA
ANITA MANLEY
AARON SHEPARD
ROGER A. COLE
KATHLEEN DALY
2
Publisher
Editor
Associate Editor
T H E P U B L I C SECTOR
Department, Department of Mental Hygiene
and Department of Motor Vehicles.
He says the Taylor Law and the
development of the state's classification and
compensation programs are among the
things that have had great impact upon
CSEA and its membership, but there have
been many other historic milestones over
the last quarter of a century as well.
CSEA's affiliation with AFSCME in 1978
was instrumental in bringing CSEA into the
mainstream of the American labor
movement, he notes. The recently instituted
comparable worth program, when fully
implemented, will rank among events that
he believes are significant in the union's
history.
"Still, I think my greatest thrills over the
years have come from seeing so many
CSEA staff members learn the ropes in the
research department. A lot of our very best
staff people throughout the organization
started their careers here. I've always been
lucky to have very capable people in my
department," Blom said.
A native of Troy, N.Y., Blom holds a
bachelor of arts (BA) degree and a masters
degree ( M A ) in sociology, both from Siena
College, and a master's degree (MPH) in
public health statistics from the University
of Michigan.
And while he admits to thinking about
retirement in the not too distant future,
Blom has entered his 26th year with CSEA
with the same eagerness and intensity as he
did in 1962.
" I still love it. I look forward to coming to
work every day. That's a pretty good
measure of how a person feels about his
life's work."
DAN CAMPBELL
CHUCK McGEARY
'
i COMMUNICATION ASSOCIATES —
Region I
RONWOFFORD
(516) 273-2280
Region II
STEVE MADARASZ
(212) 514-9200
Region III
(914) 896-8180
COMHUÄlCv
Region IV
(518) 489-5424
Region V
" I CIO/CU- *
(315) 451-6330
Region VI
(716) 886-0391
Headquarters
(518) 434-0191
J u n e 1, 1 9 8 7
^Hot' trash gets
a cold shoulder
Compiled by Sheryl Carlin
CSEA Communications Associate
BROOKHAVEN — "They said, 'It's hot,
get everyone off the hill!'"
And somewhat like a scene out of the
movie Silkwood, the worst fears of CSEArepresented employees at the town of
Brookhaven landfill on Long Island were
realized — they had been exposed to
radioactive material!
"The load came in from Stony Brook
(University complex),"said Billy Walsh, one
of the employees who was exposed to
radioactive iodine 125 recently. "Martin
Connelly made the first push with the machine, and boxes broke open filled with vials
which were marked radioactive."
That's when town of Brookhaven hazardous waste specialists were called in with
Geiger counters and protected by special
suits.
"They said, 'It's hot, get everyone off the
hill!"' Walsh said. "Martin (Connelly) was
also found to be hot."
At that point, claim CSEA officials, a
possibly critical mistake was made. Instead
of being stripped and showered, the men
who were exposed were instead huddled into
the lunchroom along with the rest of the
employees.
"As soon as they confirmed that there was
radioactive waste, they should have closed
the landfill and those exposed should have
been taken care of immediately," exclaimed
an angry Pat DeLuca, president of CSEA's
Brookhaven Blue Collar Unit.
After the latest discovery, CSEA pressure
forced the town to impose a ban, the third in
four months, on all hospital waste from the
Stony Brook University complex, which
includes both a university and a hospital
facility.
Employees at the landfill have been
discovering hazardous waste since
February, including an umbilical cord,
IWhat do they want?
For one of us to die of
exposure or some
infectious disease
before they ban this
waste ?P
blood-filled tubes and bags, numerous used
needles and a case of unused hypodermic
needles.
Just one day after the most recent ban
was imposed, Stony Brook went to court in
an effort to have the ban lifted.
"The judge said that Stony Brook should
be allowed to dump dormitory and cafeteria
waste. But we've found hazardous waste in
those loads, too," DeLuca said.
"What do they want? For one of us to die
of exposure or some infectious disease
before they ban this waste?"
"This situation is out of control," declared
CSEA Long Island President Danny
Ddonohue. "These men have a dangerous
job as it is. They certainly should not have
to worry about being exposed to hazardous
and infectious waste!"
"This entire situation has been handled
with total disregard to the well-being of our
people," DeLuca added.
"If they're throwing a case of unused
hypodermics in the garbage, you know
they're not paying attention to what they're
doing," said Suffolk County CSEA Local 852
President William Maccaro. "Our members
are the ones suffering because of the
negligence of the hospital staff and
administration."
Workers demand safety plan
NORTH CASTLE - Fighting for a
highway equipment maintenance program
earned him the label "troublemaker," but
North Castle Highway Unit President Jim
Ross isn't fazed.
In fact, he's still unhappy because it will
be months before all the vehicles and
equipment in the Westchester County town
June 15, 1987
are made safe for the people that work with
them.
The battle for safety began in December
when unit members complained to him that
their equipment was in dire need of repair.
"Some of the trucks hadn't been inspected
since 1974," he said. "No one had ever
pushed the issue and since there were no
complaints, the town didn't do anything."
Ross' former supervisor took no action, so
he took his complaints to the town board.
The board attorney warned the elected
officials that the town would be liable if
someone had an accident.
"The next morning there was a directive
from the town board to each of the drivers
to make a list of complaints," Ross said.
"When we got through filling out the forms,
we ended up with a very large pile of
papers."
The workers heard nothing for some time,
so Ross again prodded the board in April. A
few days later, the board drew up a sevenyear maintenance plan.
While Ross and CSEA Region III Field
Representative Wendy Hord agree that the
program is an important achievment, they
say it does not address the problem of
immediate repairs and inspections on most
of the vehicles.
After an April meeting, the town
supervisor informed them that he would ask
the state to certify highway department
employees so they can make the inspections
and repairs on all town vehicles. But Ross
and Hord say that could take months.
Meanwhile, unsafe vehicles are still on
North Castle roads.
" I don't want to wait for the inspection
license," Ross emphasized. "We want
someone to take care of those inspections
now!"
THE PUBLIC SECTOR
3
Living longer
has its price
IF
J i ^ there's one thing women have more
Q ^ o f than men, it's life. Women live an
average of eight years longer than men.
"But living longer in New York doesn't
generally mean living better," says CSE A
Coordinator of Retirees Kathleen Cahalan.
For many, part of the reason is that
New York state pension benefits have
declined significantly in value over the
past 10 years. But that's only one portion
of the cause.
CSEA representatives testified at public
hearings in New York City and Buffalo
recently that a great deal more action is
needed immediately to deal with growing
financial and health problems of older
CSEA members. The hearings were
conducted on "The Needs and Concerns of
Older Women" by the New York State
Task Force on Older Women. The union
also endorsed several recommendations
put forth by the Task Force.
CSEA representatives testified the union
is attempting to address the problems at
the state level through a package of
legislative proposals presented to the
state Legislature, but noted that the
solution to many situations must come
from the federal level.
"The overriding reason why women
work is economic necessity, and major
efforts must be launched if we are to stem
the tide of female poverty," said CSEA
statewide President William L. McGowan.
"Very few older women could plan for
their older years while being denied equal
opportunities for employment, training,
job advancement and credit," McGowan
stated. He noted that thousands of CSEA
members are among the 3.5 million
women over the age of 45 in New York
state.
Recent CSEA victories in the areas of
comparable worth and pay equity for
women may have come too late to impact
on generations of mid-life and older
women now dealing with the end result of
life decisions they made decades ago. A
majority of them married early, had
limited education and little or no career
preparation opportunities. As a result, 40
percent of women today live at or below
the poverty level.
Today's older women are reaping a
bitter harvest from the system of salary
inequities for women that lead to lower
pension and benefit levels as a result of
sex-biased employment practices, CSEA
representatives testified. A lifetime of sex
discrimination in employment spawns sex
discrimination in retirement, with 71
percent of the elderly poor being women.
CSEA went on record endorsing the
Task Force call for "substantial increases
in supplementary benefits to current
retirees" and "automatic cost of living
adjustments similar to those in the
majority of state systems."
"No one can argue that dignity and
income are not highly related," observed
CSEA's Cahalan.
The Task Force released 41 pages of
recommendations co-sponsored by the
state Department of Social Services, state
Divison for Women and the state Office
for the Aging.
CSEA spokespersons also agreed with
the report's conclusion that state
practices "have not adequately guarded
the purchasing power of public pensions."
(Continued on Page 18)
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I
CSEA pushing for legislative reform
CSEA's 1987 legislative program includes three proposals which are of special
significance to older women. The three proposed bills have all been introduced in
the state Legislature and are described below along with their state Senate and
Assembly bill numbers.
PENSION SUPPLEMENTATION (S.3912/A.2522)
Unlike Social Security benefits, there is no automatic cost-of-living adjustment
for New York State Employees Retirement System pension allowances. Instead,
the state grants pension supplementation adjustments infrequently and
inadequately.
CSEA is seeking supplementation for pensioners who retired prior to Jan. 1,
1983, and who are at least 62 years old or are disability pensioners. The union's
proposal would include an additional 5 percent for pensioners who retired after
Jan. 1, 1971, and additional increases for pre-1971 retirees. Under CSEA's plan,
supplementation would be based on the first $15,000 of the annual retirement
benefit instead of the present $10,500 cap.
4
T H E PUBLIC SECTOR
The union notes that an employee who retired in 1976 has received only a 6
percent supplementation while inflation has risen 89 percent during the same
period.
HEALTH INSURANCE - 25 PERCENT COST (S.647/A.1083)
This bill would allow the surviving spouse and/or dependents of a retiree who
retired prior to 1979 and who had family coverage in the state health insurance
plan to continue the coverage after the retiree's death at 25 percent of the full
cost. At present survivors must pay the full cost of insurance.
HEALTH INSURANCE - NO REDUCTION (S.925/A.4997)
This bill would prohibit the state of New York and participating employers
from reducing the level of benefits or increasing the percentage of costs of health
insurance for retirees.
CSEA members and retirees are encouraged to contact their state legislators
urging support for these important bills.
J u n e 15, 1 9 8 7
A drop
in the
bucket
Poor training drains prison
STORMVILLE — Thirty minutes of
training does not a filter plant operator
make.
That's why Region III Field
Representative Richard Blair has filed
grievances charging that Green Haven
Correctional Facility officials have
improperly assigned stationary engineers to
operate the water filter plant.
"It's an accident waiting for a place to
happen," Blair says.
The three stationary engineers have been
assigned the work because of staff
shortages, but Blair is concerned that they
are neither properly trained nor certified to
perform a filter plant operator's job.
He's afraid the practice of allowing
certain employees to work outside their job
titles could set a precedent.
"What's to stop them from using clerical
workers as corrections officers if they're
short of staff?" he asks.
Although prison officials contend that the
stationary engineers have had adequate
training, Blair says he's concerned that the
training is not sufficient.
"These people were given approximately
15 to 30 minutes of training each and
ordered to go into an environment that is
completely unfamiliar," Blair says.
One worker forgot to shut off a valve on a
GREEN HAVEN LOCAL Vice President Paul
Shutowich points out a pump that will have to be
replaced at a cost of $5,300 because it was
operated improperly. The filter plant is
sometimes operated by stationary engineers who
are not properly trained for the job.
^ These people were given
approximately 15 to 30
minutes of training each and
ordered to go into an
environment that is
•
completely unfamiliar.'
FILTER PLANT OPERATOR Robert Drosdowich shows Region III Field Representative Richard
Blair one of the many meters that must be read accurately by filter plant employees in order to
regulate the prison's water suppply.
May
18, 1 9 8 7
chlorine tank, Blair notes, and the resulting
gas could have been deadly had the mistake
not been caught.
In addition, the transfer of stationary
engineers to the filter plant leaves the power
house understaffed.
Blair says there are a number of factors
to consider, including:
» the inadequate training and lack of
certification to perform the duties of a
filter plant operator;
* filter plant meters have to be checked
three times per shift per day;
* the power plant and water plant are
about 200 yards apart, creating
difficulties for workers trying to work
at both;
* and the duties of a stationary engineer
are significantly different from those
of a filter plant operator and the jobs
are not logically related.
"The ramifications speak for themselves,"
Blair says. "There have been no less than
eight instances since Sept. 18, 1986, where
the filter plant has lost almost all water
capacity. Water valves have been left open
and the senior filter plant operator has been
called in on overtime to correct the
problems.
"Can you imagine what's going to happen
in a correctional facility when no water is
available to employees and inmates?"
SENIOR STATIONARY ENGINEER Roland
Capabalo replaces a valve on the heating system
in the filter plant. The job should be performed
by maintenance department workers.
THE PUBLIC SECTOR
5
No s e c r e t s !
Assemblyman, CSEA seek answers
about Letchworth incinerator
By Anita Manley
CSEA Communications Associate
Following CSEA's disclosure that a "shroud of secrecy"
surrounds the contracting-out of a controversial incinerator
at Letchworth Village Developmental Center, the project is getting
a closer examination by state officials.
As reported in The Public Sector, the Office of Mental
Retardation and Developmental Disabilities (OMRDD) has
contracted with Rem-Tech, a Manhattan-based firm, to construct a
resource recovery plant where trash would be converted to steam.
This would save the cost of hauling and dumping tons of garbage.each day and cut power costs.
But details of the plan, including the
environmental impact, have been kept a
dark secret from CSEA, the surrounding
Rockland County communities, local
lawmakers and even other state regulatory
agencies.
To get answers. Assemblyman Robert
Connor, whose district includes Letchworth,
Connor: What type of outside trash can be
recently called a meeting with CSEA,
expected, how much and how will it be
OMRDD Deputy Counsel Hal Patrick, Remtransported?
Tech officials Dan Politi and Ron Klempner
Patrick said since the plant burns up to 48
and Vernon Benjamin, assistant to
tons a day and Letchworth only produces up
Assembly Environmental Conservation
to 10 tons per day, approximately 38 tons of
Chairman Maurice Hinchey.
trash will be brought in each day.
During the session, CSEA Industrial HyRem-Tech will charge outside haulers to
gienist Joanne Curtis blasted OMRDD
truck in the nontoxic, non-explosive, nonofficials for "evading legal avenues." "You
hazardous trash, which will be monitored,
have bypassed the procedures to ramrod
he explained.
this thing through," she stated.
Connor: How will pollutants be controlled?
Connor also noted that Rem-Tech is not
Rem-Tech representative Klempner said
obligated to file an environmental impact
emissions will be monitored carefully for
statement because the plant is being
pollution.
constructed on state-owned land.
Connor: Will smokestacks be certified?
But acknowledging garbage disposal is a
Klempner answered that the smokestack,
major problem, Connor has still asked for
which is about 50 years old, will be suitable
assurances from Rem-Tech and OMRDD
for the plant and the height is appropriate to
that all procedures be followed.
assure the surrounding communities not be
Connor's questions and the answers he
affected by emissions.
received at the meeting are as follows:
(At this point Connor sourly noted that the
Connor:What environmental review has
state of Connecticut would instead be
been done in regard to the building of the
affected since the emissions would travel
incinerator?
through the air and eventually cause probPatrick replied the contract provides that
lems there!)
Rem-Teth obtain all necessary permits.
Connor: Is Letchworth being re-imbursed
Emissions testing will be done regularly and
for the value of the reduced costs to the
results will be available.
contractor?
Assemblyman
Robert Connor
Patrick noted the contractor takes all
risks by constructing the plant and sees
profit in dumping fees and the selling of
steam to Letchworth.
Patrick pointed out that Letchworth will
save about $90,000 per year. "Whatever we
save will go back to the facility to care for
our clients," he said.
Connor: Why can't Letchworth run the
process?
Rem-Tech said it was not aware of
policies of using state employees to run the
plant and had intended to employ
approximately 15 private sector workers.
This will be further discussed.
Connor assured CSEA that he would
continue to see that proper procedures are
followed from here on out and has
requested reports and test results from the
plant operators.
Region III Political Action Coordinator
Doris Mason praised Connor for his concern,
noting: "He is making it his business to stay
on top of this project."
At press time, CSEA was investigating
additional reports that a similar secretive
incinerator project is planned for Wassaic
Developmental Center.
GOING TO COURT — TOMPKINS STYLE, More than 200 members of
CSEA Local 855 Tompkins County rally at the county courthouse to
again protest the lack of contract for the county unit. The two-hour
picket, led by Region V President Jim Moore, Local 855 Pres. "Doc"
Livingstone, Unit Pres. Steve Ballan and Rally Coordinator Mike
Loehr, proceeded a Board of Representatives meeting. CSEA
members over-flowed the courtroom to hear unit officers urge county
representatives to reach a contract agreement.
6
THE PUBLIC SECTOR
June 15, 1987
Unit objects to forced resignation
SOUTH DAYTON — Pine Valley Central Schools Unit members
in this southwestern New York community are up in arms over the
treatment of a fellow member who was not given the benefit of
counsel or union representation before being given a "resign or be
fired" edict.
Gerald Fancher, a custodian and bus driver with the school
district, was told he must resign or be fired, but was never allowed
to confront his accusers over their alleged charges.
Penny Bush, CSEA field representative for the unit, said the
unit's present contract does not contain the standard discipline
protections that should be in the next pact. The unit and district are
currently negotiating a new contract.
Armed with more than 400 petition signatures from their
community, more than 40 employees — virtually the entire unit —
turned out at a school board meeting to demand the members
r
reinstate Fancher and allow him to face his accusers to defend
himself. A union spokesperson said legal action is being considered.
Since the manner in which Fancher was approached ahm it
alleged charges was "unfair, unprofessional and undemocratic,"
charged the unit, the union must address the issue now so more
members do not suffer from the same unjust treatment in the
future.
Bush and Unit President Emory Rose said the members are
grateful for the support they have received from Chautauqua
County CSEA Local 807 and the labor councils from the neighboring
areas of Dunkirk, Jamestown, Cattaraugus and Allegany.
The support has helped make the unit's members determined to
do all they can to make sure that no other member is ever
subjected to such harrassment, Bush said.
CSEA files IP for tug captain
ALBANY — CSEA has filed an Improper
Practice ( I P ) charge against the state
Department of Transportation (DOT)
Division of Canals, claiming that a local
president is being harassed by his
supervisor because of his union activity.
The union contends that Canal Local 500
President Thomas Doin has suffered
discrimination and harassment from his
supervisor, LeRoy Portwine, since 1985.
Portwine has singled out Doin on several
for borrowing a seldom-used boat trailer,
occasions and has caused him unnecessary
problems in carrying out his union work, the although Doin had permission from his
foreman. Only after going through grievance
union alleges.
procedures did Doin get the letter removed.
Most recently, Portwine reduced Doin's
In another incident, the IP alleges,
evaluation to "effective" from his normal
Portwine excluded Doin from a meeting of
rating of "outstanding," an act CSEA says
all boat captains held to investigate a
is in retaliation for Doin's union activity.
grievance. He should have been allowed to
attend the meeting as CSEA Local 500
But that is only the last in a series of
president and as boat captain, according to
Portwine's efforts to harass Doin. For
the union.
example, he reprimanded Doin in writing
Region III PAC studies
political action clout
FISHKILL — Dutchess County Executive
Lucille Pattison was the keynote speaker at
a recent Region III Political Action
Committee (PAC) workshop.
Pattison emphasized the importance of
continued communication with elected
officials.
"Two kinds of calls have top priority in
my office," she said, "calls from other
elected officials and calls from CSEA."
Communication with elected officials helps
keep her aware of the issues and concerns
of county employees, she said.
DUTCHESS COUNTY EXECUTIVE Lucille
Pattison enjoys lunch with Region III PAC
members. Seated next to her is Dutchess County
Unit President Carl Mathison.
GREETING CSEA MEMBERS at a recent PAC seminar in Fishkill were, from left, Region III PAC
Specialist Doris Mason, Region III President Pat Mascioli, Regional Director Diane Campion and
Region III PAC Chairman Alex Hogg.
J u n e 1, 1 9 8 7
REGION III PAC members Madeline Gallagher
and Helen Zocco attended the recent PAC
seminar held in Fishkill.
THE PUBLIC SECTOR
7
f^ Q F A A / I X r t M
VCSEA
^ members
* - ™
^ join^a new *
can now
emergency road service program designed
especially for them.
CSEA and Jardine, Emett & Chandler Inc.
are offering the CSEA AUTOMATE
Emergency Road Assistance Program for
$19.95 a year.
CSEA AUTOMATE provides its members
with emergency car services, help in trip
planning, participation in a discount travel
program, access to 24-hour medical and
legal services and 24-hour accident
insurance.
Members requiring emergency towing, a
locksmith's services, gas delivery or flat tire
replacement will be reimbursed up to $35 for
the services.
Unlike many other road service plans, a
member's spouse and children are covered
while driving a car registered to the
member at no extra cost. (A child must be a
dependent, unmarried, under age 19 and
living in the same residence as the
member.)
The CSEA AUTOMATE program will also
reimburse members for up to $1,000 for
emergency transportation expenses resulting
from an accident occuring more than 200
miles from home. The costs of a rental car
or commercial transportation and food and
lodging are included in the reimbursement.
If your car is reported stolen, CSEA
AUTOMATE will pay a $1,000 reward to the
person who provides the information which
leads to the arrest and conviction of the
thief.
When planning an automobile trip, either
for business or pleasure, members may
request maps specifically marked with the
preferred route — scenic or direct. Members
will also receive car preparation tips,
packing ideas and other materials.
Enrollment in CSEA AUTOMATE also
means enrollment in Discount Travel
International, a leader in the "short
notice"travel industry. By booking with
Discount Travel International from one to
six weeks prior to departure, CSEA
AUTOMATE members can participate in
first-rate tour packages at up to 60 percent
less than what others might pay for the
same accomodations and services. These
membership benefits extend to all family
members living at the same address as the
member. All trips booked through Discount
Travel International are 100 percent
guaranteed and confirmed.
/t T17 •
travel insurance plan
1
• offers extensive protection
CSEA PRESIDENT William L. McGowan, the first CSEA AUTOMATE applicant, receives his
membership kit from Nels Carlson, a senior vice president of Jardine Emett & Chandler.
While traveling, CSEA AUTOMATE also
provides members with three other very
important benefits. Traveling members
faced with medical emergency and
requiring local care may dial the Access
America 24-hour toll-free hotline for a
referral to an appropriate physician, dentist
or medical facility.
Members needing legal assistance may
call Access America's 24-hour toll-free legal
hotline for a referral to a local legal
adviser. Access America will also help
arrange for an advance of money through a
major credit card to be used for the legal
fees and posting of bail, if necessary.
The program also offers $25,000 in travel
accident insurance for 24 hours a day for
members.
All these benefits are available to CSEA
members for an annual membership fee of
$19.95. There are two ways to enroll: simply
call CSEA AUTOMATE at 1-800-833-6220,
Operator 40, and charge the membership fee
to your Visa or Mastercard; or fill out the
application on this page and return it to
CSEA AUTOMATE, P.O. Box 774,
Schenectady, N.Y. 12301-9980.
Enroll in the CSEA AUTOMATE©program by phone
"1
1-800-833-6220
(OPERATOR 40)
and charge it to your Visa or Mastercard
Or. simply complete the form below and return it to CSEA
AUTOMATE© P 0. Box 774 Schenectady, NY 1 2301
Enroll
Y e s !
me
m the
CSEA
AUTOMATE
E m e r g e n c y Road Assistance P r o g r a m ©
right
away!
Name
Address
Apt. No
City _
State
Zip
Social Security No.
Telephone No. (
)
IMPORTANT BILLING INFORMATION
A N N U A L DUES ARE $ 1 9 . 9 5
Annual membership dues for the CSEA AUTOMATE Emergency Road Assistance Program® can be made in any one
of the following ways:
(Check one)
•
•
Check or M o n e y order e n c l o s e d
C h a r g e to my:
• Visa
•
Mastercard
Acct. No
SUNMERSCAPE programs
open on campuses soon
•
Time is running out to register for
SUMMERSCAPE, the unique vacation
opportunity for CSEA members.
included in your CSEA AUTOMATE Emergency Road Assistance Program® membership is a $ 2 5,000 Travel Accident Insurance Policy.
The program offers low-cost housing
and meals for members and their families
from July 18 to Aug. 9 at five SUNY
campuses, each with recreation facilities
and with access to tourist and historic
attractions. The campuses are at Oswego,
Fredonia, Cortland, Plattsburgh and
Potsdam.
For more information, write to the
y^ampus you would like to visit:
8
T H E PUBLIC SECTOR
Conference Office, SUNY College at
Oswego, Oswego, N.Y. 13126;
Patricia Feraldi, Housing Office,
Gregory Hall, SUNY College at Fredonia,
Fredonia, N.Y. 14063;
Office of Residence Life, SUNY College
at Cortland, P.O. Box 2000, Cortland, N.Y.
13045;
Lillian Cassidy, Office of Lifelong
Learning, SUNY College at Plattsburgh,
Plattsburgh, N.Y. 12901;
Office of Residence Life, Sisson Hall,
SUNY College at Potsdam, Potsdam, N.Y.
13676.
Expiration Date
Bill me later
IMPORTANT TRAVEL/ACCIDENT
INSURANCE INFORMATION
Please provide the following information:
Beneficiary
Name
understand my membership will begin on the first day of
the month immediately following receipt of my application
and annual membership dues I understand that the beneits and services are subject to the terms and conditions of
he "Members Only Benefit Guide"
Signature
Date
J u n e 15, 1 9 8 7
Qnion opposes court merger
Plan ignores
CSEA members
By Kathleen Daly
Associate Editor, The Public Sector
CSEA is mobilizing a lobbying campaign
to defeat a proposed court merger in New
York state.
The proposal, now before the state
Assembly, would amend the state
constitution and merge all courts in the
state at the Supreme Court level. CSEA
opposes the legislation because it doesn't
address the concerns of its 3,600 members in
the Office of Court Administration.
''Our prinicipal objection to the bill is that
it does not safeguard the employees that we
represent," said Thomas Haley, director of
CSEA Legislative and Political Action
Department. "There is no guarantee of job
security."
The bill refers to non-judicial employees
only briefly and does not give any plan for
job classification, collective bargaining
representation or job security, Haley said.
Instead of detailing such plans, the bill
leaves them open to be addressed later.
"What the legislature is suggesting is that
they pass the legislation, submit it to the
voters and if they vote to accept it, work out
the implementation legislation later," Haley
said. "There are questions that aren't
answered yet and it's irresponsible to pass
legislation that will dramatically alter our
court system without addressing these nuts
and bolts questions."
Passed late in the last legislative session, the
bill must be approved again by both the
state Senate and Assembly in order to earn
a place on the November ballot.
But CSEA is trying to stop the bill at the
the Association of Justices of the Supreme
Legislature. Recently 25 CSEA lobbyists
joined those of several other organizations to Court, Association of Surrogates and Sumeet with legislators about the bill and
preme Court Reporters with the City of New
discuss its drawbacks.
York, the New York State Court Clerks
Association and New York Supreme Court
CSEA President William L. McGowan
Officers Association have also come out
urged the lobbyists to keep track of who
against the proposal.
supports CSEA and who supports the bill.
He said he will write to the bill supporters
and offer to give them the information they
need to convince them the bill will be costly,
ineffective and unfair to non-judicial
employees.
If the bill is passed and then approved by
voters, the workers will lose, he said.
"They are trying to take your rights away
from you. If the bill passes, I'm telling you,
none of you will have a job if a judge
doesn't like you," McGowan said. "They
want to change the system so they can do
anything they want whenever they feel like
LOOKING OVER their lobby packets, Ralph
it. Why would that make the court system
Hesson, left, president of CSEA Judiciary Local
better?"
335, and Frank Dendanto, first vice president of
CSEA is not alone in protesting the court
CSEA Local 332, prepare to talk to legislators
merger. Organizations including AFSCME,
about defeating the proposed court merger bill.
TALKING WITH ASSEMBLYMAN George Winner Jr. are Ken Bailey, left, president of CSEA
Judicial Local 334, and Robert W. Allen, right of the statewide Political Action Committee. Winner is
the ranking minority member of the Judiciary Committee, and the three men were discussing the
union's opposition to the proposed court merger.
CSEA Law Department hires staff
John
Gushing
attorney
Pam Norrix
Turner
attorney
Tom Spring
legal
assistant
John Cushing has
practiced law with
the Brooklyn law
firm of Lippman,
Lippman and
Hashmall, which
represents the
Newspaper and Mail
Deliverers union.
A 1982 graduate of
New York Law
School, Cushing
earned a
bachelor's degree in 1970 from Berry
College, and a master's degree from New
York University. He also served in the U.S.
Army.
A supporter of labor, Cushing said labor
law was a natural choice for him because of
his family's union history.
" I really think the employees need the
protection and security that comes with
being organized," he said.
Pam NorrixTurner graduated
from Albany Law
School in May 1986
and has worked with
the firm of Bernard,
Overton and Russell
in general practice.
A former teacher,
she earned her
bachelor's degree
from Tufts University and has a
master's degree in English education.
She graduated from Tufts and Albany Law
School with honors. She was also associate
editor of the Albany Law Review and a law
clerk for the New York United Teachers for
two years.
" I have always been a union member and
have always worked for unions," she said.
" I think workers need concerted
representation because employers have an
unfair advantage."
Tom Spring earned
a bachelor's degree
in history and
Canadian studies at
SUNY at Plattsbrugh
and did graduate
work at the
University of Maine
before deciding to
become a paralegal.
He attended a
program at Adelphi
University, worked
in a general legal
practice and was a substitute teacher before
joining CSEA.
His job in the union's Law Department
includes research, case preparation and
maintaining schedules and the law library.
Labor law is a new field for him, he said,
"but the more I get into it, the more
interesting it is."
J u n e 1, 1 9 8 7
THE PUBLIC SECTOR
9
By Anita Manley
CSEA Communications Associate
j f O N Y KILL F A R M
«tflRONMENTAL EDUCATION CENTER
A PLACE TO EXPLORE A N D
EIMJOY !
• XlflUC MOGRMIS
• SCMCX*. t W m PKXPM
If you've ever seen the face of a child the first time he or she
sees a calf or a piglet, then you can understand why Brenda
Bubenicek enjoys where she works.
• EtHMir «M«
HEW YORK STATE
BEACON — "It sure beats the tall office buildings that most
state employees work in!"
"
Bubenicek is a senior stenographer with the state Department
of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and a member of CSEA's i
Mid-Hudson Local 009. But she doesn't work in those "tall office
buildings" that so many of her fellow state employees do.
OEPARTHENT OF ENVIRONMEIITAL COHSERVATION
KEEPING 'EM
DOWN ON
o
M
Instead, she goes to work every day at Stony Kill Farm, an
actual working farm in southern Dutchess County operated by DEC
as an environmental educational center.
DEC maintains just three environmental educational centers in
the state and Stony Kill Farm is the only one to teach farming.
The farm was originally purchased from local Indians in 1683.
Today it offers educational programs for school children and other
interested groups.
While most of the programs are conducted by volunteers,
Bubenicek helps develop follow-up activities for children such as
crossword puzzles with a farm or animal theme.
She is also a certified emergency medical technician and is
qualified to assist with any emergencies that arise during the
workweek at Stony Kill.
On one recent day, a group of New York City school children
,
BRENDA BUBENICEK holds a poster sent to
schools to publicize DEC's wildlife preservation program. She says working at Stony Kill Farm is a real
pleasure.
/I
Election reminder; Deadline is June 10
Time is running out for eligible CSEA members to cast their ballots in the
elections of CSEA regional officers and three members of the union's statewide
Board of Directors.
Ballots must be received by noon, Wednesday, June 10, by The Independent
Election Corporation of America (lECA), Lake Success, N.Y., to be valid.
Officers are being elected for each of CSEA's six regions and a special
election is being conducted to fill three vacant seats on the statewide Board of
Directors.
10
T H E P U B L I C SECTOR
J u n e 1,
were participating in a program called "Operation Explore" at the
farm. Children were learning that eggs and milk do not originate on
a supermarket shelf. They were also given lessons dealing with soil
erosion, how plants grow and how farm equipment is used. They
also were shown how to make corn bread and churn fresh butter.
"All the programs here — farming and ecology — reflect DEC's
stewardship role in managing our state's natural resources,"
according to Stony Kill Director Herb Eschbach.
"The agricultural industry uses most of our natural resources.
A farmer has to be concerned with soil conservation and water
quality and that's what we're teaching the children."
Bubenicek says that seeing the sense of discovery in the eyes of
the children is one of the best fringe benefits of her job.
"The happiness seen on a child's face when he or she has
discovered a salamander under a rock, or how you make butter
from cream, is a great pleasure . . . like the wonderment on a
child's face at Christmas."
FOR INFORMATION ON STONY KILL PROGRAMS:
Stony Kill Farm
Environmental Education Center
Rte, 9D
Wappingers Falls, New York 12590
(914) 831-8780
SUSAN ASHWORTH, a DEC employee, teaches chfldren about plants in the Stony Kill greenhouse.
'THIS IS HOW we shuck corn," says volunteer naturalist Ed Chasins.
JOHN HICKEY, a volunteer, gestures as he talks with New York City school
children about soil erosion and conservation. "Can anyone give an example of
any food that doesn't grow?" he asked. "Macaroni," came back the reply.
• LEAP courses registration opens June 17
CSEA's Labor Education Action Program (LEAP) is nearing completion of its schedule of tuition-free
courses for the 1987 fall semester.
Registration is slated to open June 17 for eligible state employees (Administrative Services Unit,
Institutional Services Unit, Operational Services Unit, Division of Military and Naval Affairs, Health
Research Institute and SUNY Construction Fund).
Application blanks will be available from your training office or your CSEA local president.
LEAP is also planning a career development certification program. Look for further information in the
next issue of T h e Public Sector.'
11
June 1,
T H E P U B L I C SECTOR
Toxic sludge claims provoke PCB panel
contaminants or with the Hudson River
dredging project in the mid 1970s.
CSEA Industrial Hygiene Specialist
Joanne Curtis battled her way through a
recent advisory board meeting to try to
convince the members that dredging
workers were exposed to contaminants that
And a panel which monitors work with
are known to cause cancer.
Tlie current Health Department study of
poly chlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) is
resisting CSE A on the issue; CSE A says the
workers, initiated after at least two died of
reason is obvious — several of the members cancer, addresses only exposure to PCBs.
of the PCB Advisory Board have or had
While considered dangerous, PCBs have not
connections with the industry dumping the
been identified as cancer-causing.
FORT EDWARD — Evidence that cancercausing heavy metals were contained in
sludge handled by state Department of
Transportation employees has not moved
the state Health Department to expand its
health surveys of the workers.
CSEA Industrial Hygiene Specialist Joanne Curtis answers questions about sludge contamination.
"We are concerned because the health
department's representative, Dr. Alice
Stark, informed the committee only about
the possible exposure of workers to PCBs
and did not tell the committee about the
possible exposure to other heavy metals
found in the sediment.
"That was, to say the least, misleading. But
the committee seemed determined to ignore
our concerns, trying to put the blame for
any exposure on the workers and not on
management," Curtis said.
After her presentation, committee
members tried to discount her report as a
union attempt to distort the situation.
However, after some raucous questioning by
the committee, several citizens in the
community, including DOT workers,
thanked Curtis and CSEA.
Despite the belligerence of some
committee members. Chairman Dr. John
Sanders invited Region IV officials to the
next board meeting to discuss the health
survey and see if the committee can be of
any assistance, Curtis said.
The community is also concerned because
the state wants to do more dredging and put
the sludge in a landfill in Fort Edward.
"There is too much pressure on this
community to allow another dredging,"
Curtis said. "If it wasn't done right the first
time and it took nearly 15 years to find that
out, why should the community trust the
state this time?"
MHTA is innocent, wins back pay
MELVILLE — Michael Mojica is back to work as a mental
hygiene therapy aide (MHTA) at Pilgrim Psychiatric Center after
an arbitrator acquitted him of patient abuse charges and awarded
him about $9,800 in back pay.
CSEA Region I President Danny Donohue applauded the
decision vindicating Mojica.
"The MHTAs have such a difficult job to begin with and with
the understaffed conditions, it should be the state who is accused of
patient abuse, not the dedicated employees who struggle to function
in the facilities," he said.
CSEA Regional Attorney Lester Lipkind represented Mojica at
the hearings.
The charges arose after an administrator asked Mojica and
three other therapy aides to take a client from the dining room and
search him for silverware. The client banged his head against
against the bathroom door before they entered for the search, which
revealed nothing.
Later, Mojica told the patients who gathered in the area to
leave; all did except the client he had searched. Mojica escorted
him by the arm to the day room.
Moments later, the unruly client returned to the corridor yelling
and when Mojica turned to face him, the client threw a punch which
Mojica partially blocked. While the two men struggled, the client
grabbed Mojica's hair and they fell onto a sofa.
Another therapy aide witnessed the incident and helped Mojica
restrain the client.
In his testimony at the hearings, the client admitted that Mojica
had never punched him back. The arbitrator weighed several
factors, including the client's lack of injury and that his testimony
was uncorroborated.
The arbitrator found Mojica innocent of patient abuse and said
he should be reinstated with full back pay.
The MHTAs have such a difficult job to begin with
and with the understaffed conditions, it should be the
state who is accused of patient abuse, not the
dedicated employees who struggle to function in the
facilities.
12
T H E PUBLIC SECTOR
"What does emerge from the testimony of the staff who
appeared on behalf of the union . . . is a picture of a therapy aide
doing his job in a not unreasonable manner under the
circumstances," the arbitrator said.
Pilgrim Psychiatric Center CSEA Local 418 President Patrick
Hahn attributed Mojica's reinstatement to union efforts.
"Thanks to CSEA legal assistance, Mojica was found innocent,'
Hahn said. "It's just another case where the union has saved
someone his job as well as won him his back pay."
MHTA MICHAEL MOJICA, left, with CSEA Local 418 Treasurer Jim
LaRock and Local 418 President Patrick Hahn admire a check for $9,800
that represents full back pay for Mojica. He was recently cleared of patient
abuse charges and awarded his pay.
J u n e 1, 1 9 8 7
RegionV
Triple header workshops
pack in the information
Compiled by Charles McGeary
CSEA Communications Associate
SYRACUSE - Region V CSEA members
who attended the recent triple header
workshop could choose between political
action, women's issues or treasurer training.
All had a chance to hear Syracuse Mayor
Thomas Young speak about the importance
of public employees.
"People that work for the government are
very hard-working and for that, I say thank
you," Young said. "Going back to my
service as director of the New York State
Fair, I am well aware of the importance of
a solid and dedicated work force."
Keynote speaker state Sen. Nancy
Larraine Hoffmann, D-Syracuse, discussed
her involvement in public employee issues,
including the proposed closing of the Rome
Developmental Center. She committed
herself to work with the community task
force concerned with the possible loss of
jobs at the facility.
" I will do ever^hing in my power to
assure job security at Rome D.C.,"
Hoffmann said. "Working together —
elected officials, CSEA political action and
others — we can have an impact in Albany
where final decisions are made. Keep in
mind, as long as you demonstrate political
action clout, your power is limitless."
Hoffman also thanked CSEA for its
support in her recent re-election campaign.
The CSEA officers and guests gave her a
standing ovation.
The day consisted of more than
SYRACUSE MAYOR THOMAS YOUNG, left, meets with Region V President James Moore and
CSEA statewide PAC Coordinator Tom Haley. Ryan spoke during lunch for the region's triple
header workshops.
politicians' speeches, however. While the
Region V Women's Committee workshop
discussed self-improvement and the
problems of aging parents, a group of local
and unit treasurers were training for CSEA
certification or recertification.
The political action committee (PAC)
workshop drew the largest crowds. More
than 100 CSEA officers and PAC members
listened as CSEA statewide and regional
PAC representatives discussed federal
legislation, proposed Department of Labor
layoffs and court merger legislation.
SIGNED AND SUITED TO A T — Harold Reinhardt, second from left, a grievance representative
for DOT Barge Canal Local 502, gets a personal fitting from statewide PEOPLE Coordinator
Cheryl Sheller, while Region V PEOPLE Chair Doris Pratz watches Chuck Whitney, DOT Local 505
president, sign up for a prize drawing at the Region V triple header workshops.
J u n e 1, 1 9 8 7
CSEA statewide Coordinator for
Legislative and Political Action Tom Haley,
Region V PAC chair Dorothy Penner-Breen
and Region V PAC Coordinator Tim Burns
provided a fast-paced overview of how local
and unit PACs can best use political action
in their areas.
Haley stressed the key to success is
motivating the PAC force.
"If you start by nurturing and
encouraging the basic unit or local PAC
while taking advantage of our state-of-theart computers and other services, good
things can happen at every level," he
explained.
Onondaga County Commissioner of
Elections Richard Romeo described the
structure and functions of the Election
Board for the participants.
U.S. Rep. Louise Slaughter, D- Rochester,
addressed the participants in the Women's
committee workshop.
Region V President James Moore noted
that the day-long program attracted more
participants than any had before. In his
closing remarks, he expressed his
appreciation to the program committee for
its efforts.
"The committee members apparently
have discovered the perfect formula for a
successful workshop," Moore said. "Mix
important and interesting topics and serve
with dynamic speakers. My only suggestion
to those who helped make this workshop so
successful is, let's do it again — soon!"
• Working together — elected
officials, CSEA and others —
we can have an impact in
Albany where final decisions
are made .... As long as you
show political action clout,
your power is limitless. ^
-—State Sen. Nancy Larraine
VJHoffmann
^
THE PUBLIC SECTOR
13
Riled u p in
Compiled by Daniel X. Campbell
CSEA Communications Associate
RENSSELAER — City of Rensselaer
employees have taken to the streets twice in
recent weeks for informational picketing in
an effort to break an impasse in contract
negotiations that has now stretched to about
11 months.
And the situation is beginning to get
desperate for many of the 35 workers, who,
CSEA Unit President Michael Sheffer says,
"are the lowest paid group of municipal
employees in the Capital District."
The supervisor of Social Service eligibility
for Rensselaer County, Grace Vallee, herself
a CSEA member and union activist, says
she has surveyed the 35 city employees and
found that about 10 percent of them may
qualify for various forms of welfare
payments. She said that estimate is based
on their financial situations and whether
they should experience a change in their
lifestyle such as a rent increase, birth or
other added expenditure.
Their last contract expired nearly 11
months ago and negotiations moved through
mediation, fact-finding, conciliation and
super-conciliation steps without any
agreement being reached.
"We've been through every avenue of the
Taylor Law trying to negotiate an
agreement," notes Sheffer. "The city has
money to raise the mayor's salary 100
percent for a part-time job, but they can't
find four cents an hour more for us!"
At one point the city rubbed salt in the
employees' wounds by cancelling workers
compensation benefits, but later restored the
benefits after public protests by the CSEArepresented employees.
The employees have thus far picketed
twice to urge the city council to either
negotiate a settlement or impose a contract.
So far the city has sat on its hands and done
nothing.
A fact-finder reconmiended a three-year
contract with wage hikes of 35 cents per
hour the first year, 40 cents the second year
and 50 cents the third year. The city offered
31 cents an hour.
Sheffer said the workers will not roll over
and play dead for management.
"CSEA and the members of this unit are
going to take care of our families and our
children one way or the other," he
promised.
BOB EMERY and daughter Vicky joined with
fellow city of Rensselaer workers and their
families to conduct a recent informational
picket line to show their displeasure over
lack of a contract settlement.
Zm 10,000 CSEA members
andvote-^ in the county=
Unity
key in
COUNTY WORKERS
WITHOUTTWNTRACT?
Compiled By Charles McGeary
CSEA Communications Associate
1 I umfi Willi a surplus o( over $13
anü
o n e s i n « Dccembcroi last yea I
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Dale E. KinS
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William U McCowan
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CSi:A. Inc.
.lames J. Moore
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Central Rcßion V
CS£GI
14
T H E PUBLIC SECTOR
SYRACUSE — The more than 4,000 Onondaga County employees who
have been working without a contract since Pec. 31 had their spirits
boosted with the recently pledged support by officials of nine area CSEA
state locals with a combined membership of 11,000.
And that collective support translates into political action power aimed
directly at Onondaga County legislators in an effort to settle the longsimmering contract impasse. A huge half-page advertisement
(reproduced at left) appeared recently in Syracuse area newspapers.
"We are sending a strong message to Onondaga County legislators,"
admits CSEA Central Region V President Jim Moore. Moore said the
pledge of support from the nine area state CSEA locals definitely puts
added pressure on the legislators to take action to resolve the impasse.
"Although the county, by its own admission, has a budget surplus of
more than $13 million, Onondaga County employees continue to work
without a contract. It's not fair and we are stepping up our action.
"We want every county legislator to know he has a potential block of
50,000 voters to reckon with in November," Moore said.
Contract talks began last August and are currently in fact-finding.
Union members have conducted several informational pickets so far and
may start picketing individual county legislators soon.
J u n e 15, 1 9 8 7
Anniversary brings out CSEA pride at
Letchworth Village
W. HAVERSTRAW Members of Letchworth Village
Developmental Center Local 412 are proud to be associated with
CSEA, and proved it recently when they turned out in large numbers
for a special 37th anniversary party.
It all started in January when Local 412 officers discovered that
their local's charter had been granted on April 15,1950.
Determined to celebrate a 37th anniversary in real style, Local
412 Newsletter Editor Karen Gleason began a three-month long "archeological dig" for records, memorabilia and members and
retirees with good memories.
The result was an evening of nostalgia and memories for many
present and former state employees who attended.
Gleason emphasized that she will continue to research the
history of the local in order to compile a complete record for future
officers.
While memories of former members live in the minds of many, a
few have been permanently memoralized.
John M. Harris, who died while serving as the first president in
1950, is remembered on a memorial plaque which was unveiled at
CSEA Headquarters in 1952 in Albany.
While serving as president, Harris also served as vice chairman
of the then Southern Conference, Mental Hygiene Employees
representative, a member of the Board of Directors and editor of the
local newsletter, "Village Views."
The power plant at Letchworth is named for the late John T.
Clark, who served as local president for 14 years. He, too, is on a
memorial plaque at the Albany headquarters. Clark was also a
member of the statewide negotiating committee, vice chairman of
the Operational Unit, a member of the Mental Hygiene Negotiating
Comomittee, chairman of the Statewide Political Action Committee
and chairman of the Credentials Committee. Clark also served as
third vice president of the Southern Region and a member of the
State Board of directors for over six years.
Other Local 412 presidents who were saluted during the
festivities included Hiram Phillips, Ray Schultz, Anthony VanZetta,
John Weber, Joseph June, Pat Casey, Earl Collins, John Kresl,
Vince Covati, Robert Watkins and present President Brian Cox.
Question:
(Asked of
Region III Social Services
Employees) How do you cope
with your caseload?
J u n e 1, 1 9 8 7
PROUD OF CSEA'S LETCHWORTH LOCAL . . . Past and present CSEA
officials turned out for Letchworth Local 412's 37th Anniversary. Top photo,
from left, CSEA Executive Vice President Joseph McDermott; former local
President Vince Covati; CSEA Secretary Irene Carr; Local President Brian
Cox; Micki Clark, wife of former President John Clark; Region III President
Pat Mascioli; and former local President Anthony Van Zetta. Bottom photo,
members show their pride.
Esther Pearl
Senior Social
Welfare Examiner
Rockland County
Heike Morelli
Social Welfare
Examiner
Putnam County
"We are motivated
by a sincere desire to
relieve financial
stress resulting from
unpaid medical and
hospital bills. Our
assets are skills and
speed plus patience
and perseverence."
" I take each individually. Some are
more difficult than
others, but somehow
you deal with it."
Esther McGuire
Caseworker
Ulster County
Janet Nelson
Senior Caseworker
Orange County
" Y o u have to be
highly organized to
keep up with the
demands of your
clients and your
paperwork. You have
to be able to set limits
and priorities."
"The only way to
keep your sanity is to
laugh. You have to
h a v e a sense of
humor."
T H E PUBLIC SECTOR
15
Ed Holland: six decades with CSE A •
By Sheryl Carlin
CSEA Communications Assoicate
EAST ISLIP — Ed Holland remembers
CSEA when it had little power and no
retiree members. When he looks back on
nearly 60 years as a member, he can
appreciate the union's maturity, because he
helped it happen.
" I joined CSEA back in 1929. Believe it or
not, CSEA had about 8,000 members
statewide at that time," Holland, 78,
recalled, peering from behind his wirerimmed glasses. Today the largest public
employees union in New York state, CSEA
represents 250,000 people and continues to
grow.
He retired from his job with the Social
Services Department in Central Islip in 1967.
Back then, retirement meant the end of
CSEA membership.
That was also prior to the Taylor Law,
and the union was very different.
"We had no recourse against the
employer, no grievance mechanism. . . . The
employer was sole judge, prosecutor and
jury," Holland recalled. "In short, CSEA had
no clout; it was considered a paper tiger."
Since then, CSEA has gained tremendous
clout and huge membership, including the
retirees.
That change came in 1971, when the union
began forming retiree locals throughout the
state. Holland worked with seven people to
form a retiree local, led by Michael J.
Murphy, previously a long-time local
president.
Holland credits the late Irving
Flaumenbaum, then Region I president, for
granting the retirees a CSEA charter,
establishing the Suffolk County Retirees
Local 920.
"It began with about 50 members and
steadily grew to 3,500 by the time I retired
as president in July of 1986," he said.
But CSEA has only been one chapter in
his life. Holland met his wife of 40 years
after volunteering to serve in the U.S. Navy
during World War IL
" I had no intentions of marriage when I
met her," he remembered with a smile.
"But she corresponded with me and sent me
tons of cakes and goodies."
When he returned home to Long Island, he
married his "dearly beloved Betty." They
built a home in Islip and raised two sons,
Edward and Robert.
While in his early 20s, Holland played
semi-professional baseball with the
Bayshore Braves, but his career was cut
short when he injured his leg sliding into
second base. He also played golf and tennis.
Edward, 38, followed in his father's
footsteps, earning a baseball scholarship at
Clemson University, where he was scouted
by the big leagues. Robert, 34, was an
athlete, too, playing lacrosse at Rutgers
University. Both sons are married and each
has a child.
Retirement didn't slow Holland. He and
his wife started their own insurance
company.
"For a while I was doing both jobs," he
said. "Then we ran our insurance company
full time until I retired and sold the business
in 1978."
Holland served on a number of CSEA
committees, including the original statewide
Retirees Committee from 1975 though 1983.
"When this committee was renamed the
statewide Retirees Executive Committee, I
was elected to serve as president until
1986," he said.
i
He also served as vice president of the
local for two terms before being elected
president for three terms.
In March 1986, Holland announced he
would not seek a fourth term.
" I felt it was time for the younger
generation of retirees to carry on and
expand on the work we older retirees had
started," he explained.
He certainly has not gone into hibernation.
Holland serves on the retirees Board of
Directors and actively voices the needs of
retirees.
More than 200 CSEA retirees from OrangeUlster-Sullivan Retirees Local 917 attended the
local's annual spring luncheon. From left are
First Vice President Vic Kelty, Secretary Mel
Woolheater, Region III Political Action
Chairman Alex Hogg, Second Vice President
Marion Reeder, Region III President Pat
Mascioli and Treasurer Catherine Hobbs.
Local President Gordon Hobbs was ill and
unable to attend.
Florida retirees meet
JJinth
Annual
CSEQ
Florida Retirees
Local 9 5 0
STATEWIDE
CONVENTION
16
NEW PORT RICHEY, Fla. — CSEA
retirees in Florida heard about health
insurance and received support from
union and New York state leadership at
the ninth annual Statewide Convention of
CSEA Florida Retirees Local 950.
The convention, held in New Port
Richey, attracted nearly 425 retiree
members and guests from 62 Florida
communities. Local 950 President Lou
Colby and the local's officers organized
the convention. CSEA's largest retiree
local is comprised of retired members
now living in Florida.
CSEA President William L. McGowan
and Thomas Hartnett, then director of the
New York state Governor's Office of
Employee Relations (GOER), were
keynote speakers. Both speakers
T H E PUBLIC SECTOR
expressed their continued support of
retiree members and pledged their
assistance in enhancing the quality of life
for retirees.
Nelson Carpenter, director of health
benefits management for GOER,
moderated a seminar on health insurance.
Representatives from Medicare, the
Empire Plan (Empire Blue Cross and
Blue Shield, Metropolitan Life Insurance)
and the Equitable Prescription Drug
Program were panelists.
Jonathan Tunney of Forestville, N.Y.,
received the first Anita DiSanti Memorial
Scholarship. The grandson of Genevieve
Luce of New Port Richey, Fla., Tunney
plans to attend the University of Notre
Dame to study engineering and computer
science. The $300 scholarship is named
after a charter member of Local 950.
J u n e 15, 1 9 8 7
Employ« Devel„„™ ^^TICLE 14
W l Stalemenl
First-ever
LPN program
•
offers medical/career
advancement training
Licensed Practical Nurses (LPNs) now
have an opportunity to keep up with
medical advancements and at the same
time advance their own careers.
Even better, there is no cost and the
training program is offered during work
hours.
It's all part of a contract article
negotiated with New York State after
numerous LPN requests for service
mmrns
training. The sessions will be offered in
all of ( S e a ' s six regions over the next
few months.
The program agenda will focus on the
latest research and treatment procedures
for substance abuse. Also included:
information on making the most of your
career opportunities.
All CSEA-represented LPNs are
encouraged to attend a session. Additional
sessions will be added by region if
needed.
For further information, contact your
local president.
-Schedule
DATE
DATE
06/11787
THURSDAY
LOCATION
ALBANY
06/12/87
FRIDAY
SUFFERN
06/19/87
THURSDAY
ROCHESTER
06/18/87
FRIDAY
BUFFALO
07/24/87
FRIDAY
LONG ISLAND
08/14/87
FRIDAY
UTICA
09/11/87
THURSDAY
ROCHESTER
MARIOTT THRUWAY HOTEL
11/24/87
5257 WEST HENRIETTA ROAD
TUESDAY
ROCHESTER, NY 14623
09/10/87
FRIDAY
BUFFALO
HYATT REGENCY
MAIN STREET
BUFFALO, NY 14202
REGION
SITE
HILTON HOTEL
STATE & LODGE
ALBANY, NY
LOCATION
REGION
SITE
09/17/87
THURSDAY
SYRACUSE
HOLIDOME
3 EXECUTIVE BLVD.
SUFFERN, NY
SHERATON UNIVERSITY INN
AND CONFERENCE CENTER
801 UNIVERSITY AVENUE
SYRACUSE, NY 13210
09/18/87
FRIDAY
BINGHAMTON
MARIOTT THRUWAY HOTEL
5257 W. HENRIETTA ROAD
ROCHESTER, NY 14623
QUALITY INN
ROUTE 11, BOX 69
Binghamton, NY 13904
10/13/87
TUESDAY
LONG ISLAND
MARIOTT HOTEL
GARDEN CITY, NY 11530
HYATT REGENCY
MAIN STREET
BUFFALO, NY 14202
10/14/87
WEDNESDAY
LONG ISLAND
HOLIDAY INN HAUPPAUGE
1740 EXPRESS DRIVE SOUTH
HAUPPAUGE, NY 11788
HOLIDAY INN HAUPPAUGE
1740 EXPRESS DRIVE SOUTH
HAUPPAUGE, NY
11/04/87
WEDNESDAY
SUFFERN
SHERATON INN
200 GENESEE STREET
UTICA, NY 13502
HOLIDOME
3 EXECUTIVE BOULEVARD
SUFFERN, NY
11/05/87
THURSDAY
TBA
11/25/87
WEDNESDAY
LONG ISLAND
NEW YORK CITY
HOLIDAY INN HAUPPAUGE
1740 EXPRESS DRIVE SOUTH
HAUPPAUGE, NY 11788
2
PENTA HOTEL
7th AVENUE & 33rd ST.
NEW YORK, NY
PERB helps Ulster protect the table
KINGSTON - Ulster County Unit
President Sean Egan says he used to
"pound the table a lot."
But all that has changed thanks to a
$20,000 grant awarded in 1985 by the
Federal Mediation and Conciliation
Service for the purpose of implementing a
Labor/Management Committee in Ulster
County.
Egan emphasized that the very roots of
the project are cooperation and
commitment. "Until 1984, we had an
adversarial relationship with the county,"
he explained. "It was difficult in making
decisions. We were giving mixed
messages to the county."
"The grant was the catalyst," said
Egan. "It gives us the opportunity to
focus in on what we want to do."
In addition to the federal grant, money
was contributed by CSEA, the Public
J u n e 1, 1 9 8 7
Employment Relations Board and Ulster
County. The funds were used to pay a
committee coordinator and to underwrite
special training for members of the
committee.
Kevin Flanagan, a staff mediator with
PERB, said PERB has resources
available for training labor/management
committees.
"We are presently working with 40
jurisdictions," he said. "Several deal with
just one issue. Some, like Ulster County,
are on-going."
Some of the issues that the Ulster
County Labor/Management Committee
have dealt with include the creation of a
vacation schedule, compensatory time,
parking at the county office building, an
Employee Assistance Program, a
newsletter for employees, job sharing,
day care and an employee evaluation
form.
Ulster County Local President Sean Egan,
right, explains how the Labor/Management
Committee, funded by a federal grant, has
helped county employees work out problems
with management without the adversarial
atmosphere that existed for many years. With
Egan is Kevin Flanagan, of the Public
Employment Relations Board.
THE PUBLIC SECTOR
17
SUNY CLEANERS, JANITORS
No longer
required
to spray
chemicals
BUFFALO — Cleaners and Janitors
at SUNY Buffalo are no longer required
to also work as insect exterminators
after CSEA won an out-of-title
grievance on their behalf.
CSEA Local 602 won the class action
out-of-title grievance at the third step.
The union had claimed extermination
work should be performed by grade 8
extenninators, who are specifically
hired for such duties and earn more
than cleaners and janitors.
"The workers were concerned not
only about working out-of-title, but also
the possible safety hazards of the
chemicals," said Local 602 President
Barbara Christy. She noted that
winning an important grievance of this
type at the third step, before the
grievance procedure reached higher
levels, was also unusual and indicated
how strong the union's case was.
When the issue first arose early this
year, CSEA organized informational
picketing by the employees to publicly
protest the situation.
Bugged in
Buffalo
By Ron Wofford
CSh;A Communications Associate
B U F F A L O — " B u g g e d " by safety
concerns and out-of-title work demands,
cleaners and janitors at S U N Y Buffalo have
served dramntic noticc that cxterminatinK is
nut piirt of their job descriplmn, and they
don't intend to do it anymore.
The m e m b e r s of CSEA Local 602 took
their anger to the s t r e e t s recently with a
two-hour informational picketing march that
grabbed heavy news m e d i a attention and
extracted a promise from m a n a g e m e n t that
major spraying of c a m p u s d o r m s would be
halted pending the o u t c o m e of safety and
out-of-title g r i e v a n c e s filed by CSEA.
Those concerns " h a v e united the cleaners
, like no other issue has in the past,"
jcording to Local President Barbara
ty. But, according to Christy, Local
ance Chairman T o m F i n g e r and Local
^ o m m i t t e e Chairman Barry Kobrin,
^ y e e s are skeptical of
^ t ' s promise b e c a u s e of the long
^cting c l e a n e r s and janitors to
'^rms without, until recently,
or equipment,
i s justified," Kobrin
workers have had
loathing apparatus
ition when, in
^Rep. John
to s e e if
afety
IX)CAL 602 member Susie
Barker protests inserticide
use policy at SUNY Buffalo.
LINDA RKILLER, a 13-year employee, walks
iniormational picket line. She has often used
pesticide to spray dorms. Until recently
management sent employees into such situations
without protective clothing and equipment.
Spraying has been halted pending the outcome of
grievances filed by CSEA over the matter.
breathing apparatus and a m i n i m u m of four
hours of special training before being used.
He said m a n a g e m e n t tried to "get a w a y
with the m i n i m u m a m o u n t of training,
instead of erring on the side of s a f e t y , "
pointing out a private c o m p a n y using the
s a m e c h e m i c a l requires a y e a r of
apprenticeship before a worker can work
alone with the c h e m i c a l . B i e g e r also said
the university's director of environmental
health and safety w a s not properly registered to provide s a f e t y training n e c e s s a r y
under D E C regulations when the spraying
w a s first ordered.
The bottom line concern a m o n g workers is
surrounds the use
THIS ARTICLE in a February edition of 'The
Public Sector' helped draw widespread
attention to SUNY Buffalo cleaners and
janitors who were being forced to perform
potentially dangerous insect extermination
work out-of-title.
"We're proud of our people who stood
so strong on this issue," said Christy,
noting that virtually the entire
workforce turned out for picketing
duties.
CSEA lists
job openings
ALBANY — CSEA is currently accepting
applications for the following positions:
•Legal Program Administrator (Albany
headquarters) — Minimum qualifications
include bachelor's degree or high school
diploma and three years experience of a
paralegal, legal, grievance handling or
contract administration nature.
•Organizer (Region I) — Minimum
qualifications include bachelor's degree in
labor relations or three years experience in
a union environment which includes
organizing drives. A driver's license and car
for business use is required.
•Research Analyst (Albany headquarters)
— Minimum qualifications include
bachelor's degree with specialization in
mathematics, statistics or economics. A
driver's license and car for business use is
required.
Submit resumes immediately to:
Personnel Director
P.O. Box 7125, Capitol Station
Albany, N.Y. 12224
CSEA is an equal opportunity employer.
18
T H E PUBLIC SECTOR
health problems
n the line that can
a y i n g , " said R o s e
out that a former
portion of roach
past died
or.
a job title
8 level,
cleaners
h e y will
"ley insist
CHRIS BOROWIAK sprays a SUNY Buffalo dorm
with insecticide. Employees say they received
inadequate training and, for a long time, were
without protective clothing and equipment for the
dangerous job, which CSEA has charged is oul-oftitle work as well.
Special needs of older women
(Continued from Page 4)
Whereas New York was once a leader, the
state has now fallen well behind New
Jersey, Connecticut and other states in its
supplement for Social Security Insurance
beneficiaries, who now receive only 88
percent of the national poverty income
level.
The Task Force concluded that the
burden of impoverishment falls heaviest
on older women because they live an
average of eight years more than men.
The average age of widowhood in
America is 56, and 85 percent of married
women outlive their husbands. Census
statistics show that 70 percent of women
over the age of 55 in New York live alone.
Testimony by CSEA and other parties
confirmed that older women on fixed
incomes, as a group, are underserved by
the medical and mental health
communities and are in dire need of
access to safe, affordable housing and
home health care.
While a rising divorce rate, lowered age
of widowhood, declining birth rates and
longer life expectancy have combined to
bring more women into the workforce,
they have fewer financial resources that
must be stretched over a longer lifespan
than is the case for men, on average.
Supporting CSEA's call for immediate
action to address the situation, testimony
indicated women must cope with more
acute and chronic diseases and require
broader ranges of health and social
services than men.
Other testimony showed that retirement
income has been drastically eroded by
increases in the cost-of-living and
increases in out-of-pocket health expenses.
With Medicare providing much less
comprehensive coverage at higher cost,
retirees must spend more for health care
than ever before. Medicaid/Medicare laws
that fail to provide long-term care and
catastrophic illness coverages are forcing
older men and women to make a choice
between bankruptcy or death in their socalled "golden years."
Union activists interested in reviewing
the 60 recommendations contained in the
Older Women's Task Force report may
obtain a copy by writing to the New York
State Department of Social Services, Two
World Trade Center, New York, New
York 10047.
J u n e 15, 1 9 8 7
«#»
f
•
ACCIDENT CLAIMS MEMBER'S LIFE
An on-the-job accident has claimed the
life of William Gieb, 39, a sanitation
worker for the Village of East Aurora.
Gieb, a member of Erie county CSEA
Local 815, was picking up trash for the
village when he was discovered pinned
beneath the wheels of the gargage truck
by the driver. Circumstances of the
accident are still being investigated,
according to CSEA Region VI Safety
A FREE
SCHOLARSHIP
FROM
Representative John Bieger.
Gieb is survived by his wife, Jan, and
two small children.
A donation for the family was collected
at the recent Region VI conference. Local
815 has also made a donation.
Other contributions may be sent to:
Jan Gieb
654 Oakwood Avenue
East Aurora, N. Y. 14052
This,
that
AND THE OTHER THING
TAKING A HIKE FOR A GOOD CAUSE
REGION V
CSEA's Central Region is again offering
two fully-paid scholarships to the annual
Summer Institute for Union Women, being
held July 26-31 at the New York State School
for Industrial Labor Relations at Cornell
University
CSEA Region V members interested in
attending should write to CSEA Region V
President Jim Moore, Suite 308, 290 Elwood
Davis Road, Liverpool, New York 13088, no
later than June 26, 1987.
For additional information, call CSEA
Office Manager Catie Caranti at (315)
451-6330.
CSEA members from Long Island Region I turned out in large numbers to join thousands
of other people from Suffolk and Nassau Counties who participated in a recent
WalkAmerica fund-raising event. Participants raised more than $500,000 for the March of
Dimes. CSEA participants were provided caps and t-shirts proclaiming "I'm proud to be a
member of the CSEA." Among them were, from left, Suffolk County Local 852 Treasurer
Barbara Harrington, CSEA Suffolk Retirees Local 920 member Joe Aiello, CSEA Region I
President Danny Donohue and Suffolk County Local 852 President William Maccaro.
FRANKLIN COaNTY OFFICE
Open Competitive Examinations
Exam
28^7
28-899
28-901
20-300
Franklin County CSEA Local 817 has opened a new office in the Flanagan
Hotel in Malone, according to Local 817 President Shirley Treptow. The
local recently held a two-day open house for members and other public
employees in the area. Newly-appointed CSEA Field Representative
Charles Bird, who will live and work in the area, was introduced. Bird is
currently negotiating contracts for three of the 14 bargaining units
represented by the local.
The office will be the central point for offering union services to the area
membership.
"We are going all out to increase CSEA membership, offer additional
training and education for officers and stewards and make some dynamic
improvements in the expansion of union services in the Franklin County
area," said Local 817 Vice President Mary Hanna.
In the above photo, Treptow answers a call at the new office while
Hanna, left, and Senior Patrolman Jim Phillips, president of the Malone
Police Unit of Local 817, look on.
June 1, 1987
20-170
20-891
20-890
20-106
20-213
20-140
20-394
APPLICATIONS DEADLINE JUNE 8, 1987
Beginning
Title
Salary
No.
Oncology Nursing Staff Dev. Specialist
$27,806
APPUCATIONS DEADLINE JULY 6, 1987
Respiratory Therapist III
23,482
Respiratory Therapist I
16,611
APPUCATIONS ACCEPTED CONTINUOUSLY
Senior Stenographer (NYC, Long Island
area)
Histology Technician
Typist
Stenographer
Licensed Practical Nurse
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Trainee
Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor
Mental Hygiene Therapy Aide Trainee
APPLICATION FORMS—You may obtain application fonms by mail or in person at
the following offices of the State Department of Civil Services:
ALBANY—W. Averell Harriman NYS Office Building Campus 12239.
BUFFALO-Room 303, 65 Court Street 14202.
NEW YORK—55th Floor, 2 World Trade Center 10047, or 6th Floor, Adam
Clayton Powell State Office Building, 163 West 125th Street, 10027.
LOCAL OFFICES, NYS Employment Service (no mail requests). When you
request an application, specify the examination number and title, fy/lail completed
application to: NYS Department of Civil Service, W. Averell Harriman NYS Office
Building Campus. Albany, N.Y. 12239.
THE PUBLIC SECTOR
19
Overcrowding puts prisons "under the gun
Heading towards
another Attica?
By Stephen Madarasz
CSEA Communications Associate
While Gov. Mario Cuomo and other state
officials are suddenly focusing attention on
an overcrowding "crisis" in the state
prisons, the situation is not news to the 4,350
CSEA members who work in Corrections.
The inmate population, now at 109% of the
system's capacity and getting worse, has
been on the rise for years.
With the strain, employees face rising
workloads, shrining workspace and a more
tense work environment.
"We accept as a fact of life that we have
a problem," offers Eastern Correctional
Facility Local 159 President Jeff Howarth,
who also chairs the CSEA Region III
Corrections Committee. That committee, the
only one of its kind in the union, meets
regularly to discuss how to han^e common
problems and set priorities for the statewide
labor/management agenda.
Howarth points out that every state prison
from minimum to maximum security is at
least at full capacity and every time a new
facility opens, it fills right up with the
overflow.
"The problems are just going to get worse
because we're getting bigger without
making improvements," he claims.
Throughout Corrections, conditions are so
tight that in some places even offices are
being turned into
space.
"We're always pushing the limit with
population," says Woodboume Correctional
Facility Local 165 President Lois Edwards.
"They keep making more bed space
wherever they can — We had a large chapel
area that was converted — even hallways
they thought were wasted space."
"It's so overcrowded here that even when
an inmate goes to the hospital sick they put
someone else in his bed," comments Clinton
Correctional Facility Local 154 President
Richard Plumadore. With over 2,700 inmates.
Clinton is the state's largest maximum
security prison.
Danger on the rise
Although all Corrections employees expect
on-the-job tension because of where they
work, Plumadore contends the overcrowding
is increasing the danger. Assaults on both
staff and inmates are on the rise
system-wide.
"Monday there were three fights in the
mess hall. It's become an everyday
occurence," he explains.
In fact, as Plumadore was speaking with
The Public Sector, sirens could be heard. It
was later learned there had been a stabbing
in the prison yard.
"We had a stabbing the other day in one
of the shops," observes Elmira Correctional
20
THE PUBLIC SECTOR
Facility Local 156 President Jack Rathbun
matter-of-factly. "There are also a lot of
fights in the kitchen since they slapped more
inmates in there to help out."
For many CSEA Corrections employees,
even incidents between inmates present a
serious physical threat because they must
step in to help break them up.
"You try not to think about the risk
because it's just part of the job," comments
Orleans Correctional Facility Local 177
President Frank Sidari.
"Many of us are always around inmates
and we're in charge of their security in
some circumstances." Sidari goes on to say
that kitchen workers may be responsible for
supervising 20-30 inmates, while maintenance
and shop employees may be surrounded by
inmates handling potential weapons such as
hanmiers and screwdrivers.
"When I take an inmate work crew out, I
never know if one of them is going to 'go
off,' " adds Clinton's Plumadore.
More inmates, more work
Beyond the security concerns, the
overcrowding takes its toll in other ways.
For example, more inmates mean more
work for all staff. Maintenance crews are
usually involved in converting space for
living areas; kitchen staffs must prepare
larger quantities of food; and office workers
have to handle significantly more
paperwork.
Because of the space shortage, prisoners
are constantly being moved — not just
within a facility, but from prison to prison.
All of the movement requires additional
staff effort to keep track of it all.
At the same time, CSEA officials contend
that vacant items are being left unfilled
across the system, even thought there is a
severe need for staff.
"We used to have 500 inmates and four
staff in the fiscal office," explains
Woodbourne's Edwards. "Now we have 800
inmates and only three staff people.
"If you run facilities at full capacity, then
you must also have staff at full capacity,"
insists Eastern's Howarth.
But, with a system bursting at its seams
and no relief in sight, the greatest concern
for employees in some facilities is that they
may already be straining toward the
explosive stage.
Others are not as concerned.
Still for workers in direct contact with
inmates, the daily reality is watching over
their shoulder with increasing frequency.
And with the arrival of June, everyone in
Corrections is hoping it won't be a long, hot
summer.
'aCELITV
The Attica Correctional Facility in
western New York was the scene of one of
the nation\s bloodiest prison uprisings.
More than 40 people lost their lives in the
1971 incident.
June 15, 1987